NFL Playoffs: 5 bold predictions for Cowboys vs Buccaneers
1. Cowboys will sack Tom Brady at least four times
Brady may be 45 years old but the formula for stopping him hasn’t changed much since his athletic prime with the Patriots. If Dallas is going to blunt Brady’s passing effectiveness they need to force him to move around in the pocket.
The Cowboys have the defensive personnel to do more than just rush Brady. They can use their speed to get to him before he gets the ball out of his hands. Dallas is going to bring heat against Brady early and often. The end result will be a ton of pressures and at least four sacks.
Micah Parsons is the most athletic of Dallas’ pass-rushing group so he will get a lot of attention from Tampa’s protection schemes. That should open up opportunities for DeMarcus Lawrence and even Anthony Barr to work one-on-one against overmatched offensive linemen. That’s a recipe for disaster if the Buccaneers want to push the ball down the field.
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Tampa should try to protect Brady by getting their ground game going early. The Cowboys have the talent required to blunt those efforts. That means they’ll be able to pin their ears back and rush the passer from the second quarter on. If they force Brady to make plays under duress it should be enough to get them to the next round of the playoffs.